Shayne Looper: Was the apostle Paul a sports fanatic?

Monday

Jul 30, 2012 at 12:01 AMJul 30, 2012 at 6:34 PM

The 2012 Olympics are finally here. Over the next two weeks we can follow our favorite athletes as they compete across a range of 300 different events, from basketball and gymnastics to badminton and handball.

Shayne Looper

The 2012 Olympics are finally here. Over the next two weeks we can follow our favorite athletes as they compete across a range of 300 different events, from basketball and gymnastics to badminton and handball.

There was no badminton in the first Olympic Games, but competition did include running, boxing, discus, javelin, pankration (something like today’s mixed martial arts), horse and chariot racing and wrestling. Olympia was the best known ancient sports venue, but the Pythian, Nemean and Isthmian Games were also very popular.

The games teach us the value of self-control, discipline, training and adherence to principle. The Olympic athletes, badminton players included, can make us shake our heads in disbelief at the strength, skill and determination of which humans are capable.

People are often surprised to learn that the Bible contains references to the sports played at Olympia and the other ancient venues. Indeed, St. Paul’s frequent references to the games have led some scholars to think of him as a sports fanatic.

A more conservative assessment of the relevant texts would suggest that Paul was, at the very least, familiar with the sporting events held at the games. Even this is a little surprising since the earliest games were held in honor of the Greek gods and included elements of idol worship — something a Jew like Paul could not participate in.

Further, in many events the athletes (always male) wore little or no clothing, something Jewish people found extremely offensive. If Paul was a sports buff in that culture, he must have read the sports page in the closet.

Nevertheless, his letters reveal both a general knowledge of sports and a familiarity with specific sporting events, like those held at the Greek games. In a passage in his first letter to the Corinthian Church, where the Isthmian Games were held, he refers to both track events and boxing, and describes the rigorous training undertaken by those preparing to compete.

Paul was also familiar with the prize athletes won and uses the laurel wreathe, the ancient version of the Olympic gold medal, as a metaphor for winning in life. In his letter to the Corinthians he expresses concern over the real possibility of being “disqualified for the prize” that God the Judge awards.

In letters to the Galatians and the Philippians, the image of the track is clearly in view. In Galatians 2 he may be thinking of the “diaulos,” which was comparable to our 400 meter race. In Philippians 3 a longer race, like the “dolichos” that covered about five kilometers, is in mind. Paul knew that only the competitor who perseveres wins.

St. Paul is not the only biblical writer who knew about the games. St. Peter also refers to them, as does the author of Hebrews. He writes: “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

These biblical writers understood something many contemporary Christians miss: Success in the Christian life requires training, conditioning and focused effort. There is a spiritual athleticism required. Learning to parry the curses of enemies or to cast our cares on God requires training, just like boxing and the javelin throw.

No one wins the prize in the Christian life without exertion. Any emphasis on grace that negates the need for effort is at odds with biblical teaching. Lazy Christians, like lazy athletes, don’t win. What’s more, they don’t even have much fun. That’s something to keep in mind as we watch this year’s Olympic Games.

Shayne Looper is the pastor at the Lockwood Community Church in Michigan. He can be reached at salooper@frontier.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.